rabbit in the headlights
Deer-in-headlamps paralysis
A rabbit in the headlights is someone paralyzed by fear or shock, unable to act or respond.
The image comes from how rabbits freeze when caught in a car's headlights at night, making them easy to hit.
The phrase describes deer the same way: She stood there like a deer in the headlights when the boss asked about the missing funds.
- deer in the headlightsFear-induced paralysis
- scaredy-catOverly timid person
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- fight-or-flight responsePhysiological reaction to danger
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
paralysis · spotlight · tunnel vision · terror · sitting duck · performance anxiety · overwhelm · dread · hesitation · caught off guard · caught red-handed · on the spot · adrenaline rush · mental block · public speaking · frozen · anxiety · scrutiny
rabbit in the headlightscool as a cucumber
Extremely calm and composed
unflappable · composed · unfazed · collected · poised
rabbit in the headlightsquick on the draw
Fast to act
sharp as a tack · on the ball · spring into action · quick-witted · thinking on one's feet
rabbit in the headlightsquick on one's feet
Able to react swiftly
thinking on one's feet · decisive · spring into action · take charge · man of action
rabbit, rabbits, rabbiting, lights, lighting, lighted, lighter, lightest, lighten